Colaiste Chiarain Croom
Croom, Limerick
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 821 larger than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 416 girls, 405 boys
- Ethos
- Multi Denominational
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 71840V the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Coláiste Chiaráin is a co‑educational secondary school under the patronage of the Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board. It provides full‑time education for students aged twelve to nineteen, from first year through to the Leaving Certificate. The school places a strong emphasis on innovative, forward‑looking teaching, particularly in the sciences, information and communication technology and the broader STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) curriculum. All Junior Cycle pupils follow a dedicated STEM short course, and the senior cycle now includes Leaving Certificate subjects such as Computer Science and Politics and Society. The campus, opened in January 2021, spans 22 acres and was built at a cost of approximately €20 million. It is equipped with state‑of‑the‑art technology, modern classrooms and specialist laboratories, as well as extensive sporting facilities including GAA, soccer and rugby pitches and courts for basketball, soccer and tennis. The school also offers a rich programme in the performing arts, an American exchange partnership, and a variety of extracurricular activities that support both academic and personal development.
History
Coláiste Chiaráin, situated fifteen minutes from Limerick city, was originally housed in a building constructed in 1987. Rapid growth in student numbers rendered the old premises unsuitable, leading to the development of a new €20 million campus that opened in January 2021. The school has built a national reputation for a high‑quality, progressive educational programme, especially in the sciences, ICT and innovation. It was an early pilot of the new Junior Cycle in 2012 and has since expanded its senior cycle curriculum to include Leaving Certificate Computer Science and Politics and Society. Since 2017, all Junior Cycle students have participated in a STEM short course, and the school maintains strong links with industry and third‑level institutions to enhance student opportunities.
Applying to Colaiste Chiarain Croom
For a September 2027 place, a school's formal admissions process cannot begin before 1 October 2026. The school sets its own opening and closing dates in its annual admission notice.
National term dates 2026/27
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide post-primary school dates apply broadly to Colaiste Chiarain Croom. Individual schools set their own discretionary closure days, confirm exact dates with the school.
- October Mid-Term Break: Mon 26 Oct – Fri 30 Oct 2026
- Christmas Holidays: Wed 23 Dec 2026 – Tue 5 Jan 2027
- February Mid-Term Break: Mon 15 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027 (primary schools: Thu 18 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027)
- Easter Holidays: Mon 22 Mar – Sun 4 Apr 2027
Primary schools close for the last two days of the February mid-term week and may use discretionary days to take the full week, so their break can be shorter than post-primary schools'.
Frequently asked questions about Colaiste Chiarain Croom
How many pupils attend Colaiste Chiarain Croom?
Colaiste Chiarain Croom has 821 pupils enrolled, 416 girls and 405 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Colaiste Chiarain Croom a DEIS school?
Yes. Colaiste Chiarain Croom is part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme called Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools. DEIS schools serve communities at risk of educational disadvantage and receive additional supports, which can include smaller classes, extra teaching posts and funding for books and meals.
What is the ethos of Colaiste Chiarain Croom?
Colaiste Chiarain Croom has a Multi Denominational ethos. It is a mixed post-primary school.